Our Monster Bash! - A Toddler Friendly Halloween Party

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I thought I would share our Monster Bash Halloween Party we threw this past weekend.

I wanted to host a fun toddler friendly Halloween Party... and working through the back contractions I had the entire day..it came together! It was a fun night..

Hope you enjoy the photos from our budget friendly-toddler approved-Halloween Party.

I think the adults had just as much fun as the kids.. The highlights of the night were seeing everyone arrive in their costumes and watching the kids play with the felt monsters we made!

Maybe next year you'll want to throw your own monster bash! :)

I created and e-mailed out an Invite for the Party..

(I also blogged my Inspiration Board for the party)

The Monster Bash Dessert Table

was a mix of Target Discount Bin Finds,

Michael's Clearance items and things I already had!

My main splurge on this table was the $10 white spider web from Target.

Totally worth it... it made the table! And the girls loved it..

It was something spooky without being weird.

I used my DIY Cement Tube Birch Stands I made for the girls' party last year.

Green Sparkle Pumpkins - Target Discount Bins ($2.50 each)

Orange Sparkle Spider - Target Discount Bin ($1)

Orange Sparkle Leaves - On Sale/With Coupon at Michael's

I spray painted white, the leftover burlap from their vintage circus party,

and wrapped 2 boxes with it for table height.

Being 36 weeks pregnant with back(and regular) contractions limited my baking time...

so we ordered cupcakes from our grocery store and then decorated them!

We had Monster Cupcakes, Owl Cupcakes and Dirt Cupcakes with worms!

I kept catching sienna stealing the worms off the cupcakes...classic.

I made oreo truffles into little monsters! (eyes from JoAnns on sale)

Didn't turn out as "pretty" as I had seen them.........haha.

BUT..they were AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS.

(Note to self: Next time use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate.)

I also filled up some dollar store vases I had with pumpkin candy corn

and leftover candy from baking, gummy worms & reese's pieces.

On the Pot luck table I also put out a bowl of Cheese Puffs, Candy Corn and Monster Mix! (Pretzels, Popcorn, Reese's Pieces, Candy Corn and Marshmallows)

DIY FAVOR - FELT MONSTERS

I had made up some Felt Monsters a while back for my girls...

and then my mom gave me the idea of using the same idea but making puppets!

My girls loved them so much that I thought I would make them as favors for the party.

Each monster took one sheet of felt..with the felt being something crazy

like a quarter a sheet, it was a budget friendly favor idea for sure.

Sophie had fun with me choosing what the faces should look like!

And we made up adoption certificates to make it even more fun.

It was sooo fun seeing everyone get into their costumes!

Our little family went as Cowgirls and a Cowboy.

Our costumes are from CostumEexpress.com (posted here)

I kept the decorations simple..

I found this banner at Target for $4. Can't beat that!

The rest was our Fall Decorations that we already had out:

--I had made up a "Keep Calm and Eat Candy" Print

--I had sewed a garland with the leftover burlap and yellow fabric from their Vintage Circus Party..

--and I filled up our empty (non working) fireplace with pumpkins!

--I had also grabbed up a clearance leaf garland from Michael's with a coupon.

(put it across our fireplace mantle)

For something easy and big that we could use on the pot luck table...

I had gathered up some branches from our back yard... spray painted them white...

and then taped on some white leaf/branches I had used in the "enchanted cookie forest" from their Storybook Princess Party last year. I also covered the pot luck table with white linens.. and then black cheese cloth material from the dollar store. (not photographed)

For crafts..we were planning on painting pumpkins...

BUT... my mom reality check kicked in... and I realized that would be

entirely too messy for this pregnant mama to handle. AND it was too cold/wet outside.

So instead.... I grabbed up a pack of foam pumpkins from target....

a pack of stickable foam sheets from JoAnns with a coupon.. cut out shapes..

(eyes, lips, hats etc) And let the kids decorate on the floor in the girls' room.

It was a perfect little craft for them!

One of my favorite parts of the party... was the Mac N' Cheese Bake Off!!

It was so fun seeing the variety..and taste testing them all!..I mean all. ;)

I made up some printables to go with the theme.

As you can see...the garland ended up being taped..because...

I felt pregnant that day. haha.

 

Hope you have a wonderful and safe Halloween.

Because of the storm our trick or treating has been postponed...

but I look forward to seeing everyone's trick or treating fun that they blog about...

And I'll be sure to share ours when it actually happens! ;)

Starting to decorate for Halloween...

It's starting to look like

Halloween at our House!

(Well...a cute, not so spooky, more fun and bright Halloween ;)

I have been adding little touches around the place..

still a few things I'm working on before bambino #3 makes it's appearance!

(like hanging those pictures above the fireplace...

it'll happen!.. eventually: that'll be it's own post!)

I'm not a fan of the mushy messy part of carving pumpkins...

so this year we painted pumpkins instead!

I made up a little garland for over the piano.. "peek a boo!"

and a little print to frame that says "keep calm and eat candy."

A little motivation for october days. :)

If you want to grab up the banner and sign printables..

I just added them to my shop!

"PEEK A BOO!" Banner - $5

Keep Calm and Eat Candy Print - $3

Here's some phone shots of the girls and

I painting one night after dinner!

They loved it. :) I like how they mixed together the paints I gave them 

(leftover pink, yellow and blue acrylic paints from their party)

and they ended up almost matching our wall color! ;)

I'm working on the mantel still..I have a bunch of leftover burlap I'm thinking of making another garland with and layer it up cute with the one I already made.

Nesting here..... ;)

October & Fall Fun Ideas!

I wanted to do a round up of some

of the past fun our little family has

had that are October and Fall related!

Some are fun craft and gifting ideas...

but most are yummy fall recipes and treat ideas!

Looking forward to adding more to this round up as the month continues. :)

1. Owl Cupcakes

2. Felt Monsters

(almost made puppet versions of the Felt Monsters DIY!

will post about them soon- lots of play time value)

3. Pumpkin Spice Bars OF YOUR DREAMS.

4. Itsy Bitsy Spider Treats

5. Halloween Treat Bags

6. Oatmeal Scotchies

7. DIY Bride Costumes

8. Peek A Boo Pop Up Halloween Card

9. Gifting Halloween Treats

10. Apple Crisp (Family Favorite)

My girls and I just brought in our pumpkins and filled up our

empty stone fireplace with them!

I like them better inside..we can enjoy them.

But I think we need 2 more to fill out the space best.

Glad we found them at Aldi's for $1.99 each. ;)

 (thanks to my blog readers on facebook who gave

me tips on where to find cheap pumpkins!!)

I also saw candles on sale for 3 for $10 at Michael's.. the big kind!

and there are coupons going on right now for 20% off your entire purchase..

I love their cinnamon apple ones. mmmm. smells like fall.

Might stop by there over the weekend to grab up that deal.

Happy Fall everyone!

Monster Bash!- Toddler Friendly Halloween Party Inspiration Board

We are having a little get together in October..

A Monster Bash! I wanted to throw

 a Toddler Friendly Halloween Party.

I am a wee bit pregnant right now.... so It's going to be simple.

We are doing a Pot Luck and I'll probably do a cute Monster Themed Table.

I have seen the Adopt a Monster pins all over Pinterest...

so today I ran to JoAnns to grab up some cheap felt to make some

friendly monsters for the girls' and their friends to adopt at the party! :)

I put together a Spooktacular Monster Bash Inspiration Board

for any of you wanting to throw a Toddler Friendly Halloween Party!

1. Monster Cupcakes

2. Halloween Treat Bag Tags Printables (sold in my etsy shop)

3. Painted Pumpkins

4. Monster Playdoh

5. Mummy Juice Boxes

6. Pumpkin Dip Veggie Platter

7. Adopt a Monster

8. Boo Decorations

9. Candy Corn Candles

10. Monster Slime

11. Monster Cupcakes

12. Kid's Painting Pumpkins

I also grabbed up at JoAnns some fun googly eyes.

the girls will flip over this. This is a doable DIY for a pregnant lady. haha.

monster cups

I made up an invite the other day for our party!

Plan on e-mailing this one out to make it easier.

Want to use this for your party?? message me!

 I'll be adding the Printable my Etsy Shop for $9

(A lot of you asked me how I did it.. I created it in Photoshop.

If you want to learn how to use it check out tutorials on you tube!)

I have also always wanted to do a Mac N' Cheese Bake Off!!

(this by no means is a pregnancy craving strategy.............hehe.)

I thought it would be a fun fall addition to a party!

So while the kids get sugared up on monster cupcakes..

We can taste test all the yummy cheesy delicious

mac n cheese recipes people bring!

voting and prizes are a must. :)

mac n' cheese

Easter!- Sophie, 3 years old: "Jesus Saved us!"

Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter!

Thought I would share our Weekend..(I love being able to click back each year!)
The Easter bunny hopped through our house

and left some fun stuff to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection.. and a fewww sweets. ;)

Sophia was so funny..she kept telling us

"Jesus was trapped but then he went like that (does a wiggle) and got out!.. and he got the bad guys(??) and Heaven won!.....Jesus saved us!" haha...

It was a fun day of visiting with family, playing, eating & going to Church.
We even got in a 3 hour family nap..Easter miracle! seriously....
Thank you Jesus. haha we needed it.

Easter Baskets found at Jo-Ann's on clearance (only because I'm horribly last minute..)

I loved them! They are nice and sturdy too.

We have an Easter tradition that the Easter Bunny
and her stuffed animals have an Easter Tea Party!...
and when the girls wake up they can join in on it!

I found a tea set this year that a bit "fancier" for an older sophia..
(a tin one from Babies R Us)

Sienna immediately grabbed up a muffin as soon as she saw them..

she held it the whole morning until she put it in her Easter Basket for later. ;)

The Bouncy Balls the Eater Bunny found at Target were a hit!

I loved the colors..the girls loved rolling on them..

daddy loved throwing it at them and watching them giggle...............

I was so happy with the Tote Bag the Easter Bunny found at the Dollar Store

(and the bible drawing pad too!) The Bag said "Jesus my Forever Friend"..

they had a bunch of cute ones.

I LOVED seeing sienna open the eggs and discover what was inside!

She then went on to hoard all of the jelly beans... in her mouth.

It was an "Adventure" at mass on Easter...Sienna was feeling a bit...wild.

But we MADE IT! haha. and nap time soon followed.
*dress from target maternity

The only family photo I have.. :) Easter Dinner with Ben's Family..

It was fun seeing all the kids play together..

and  a polish get together wouldn't be complete without some Kielbasa. ;)

We were sent home with leftover ham..

I am making Split Pea & Ham Soup with it tonight. yummy.

  

Family Floor Snuggles before bed time..

and sienna snuggling with the baby bump ;)

I love the shot of Ben snuggling with one of his ballerinas...hehe.

I grabbed up, the day after Easter, some discounted dresses from Target.

(Sophie is wearing hers) They call them their Wedding day dresses..

They posed for these photos. Sienna is wearing her ballerina

gear the easter bunny brought them. SOOO CUTEEEE.

The night before Easter Ben and I went with his

little brother, sister & her boyfriend to the phillies game!

I mean Pirates game.. ;) We lost. but it was still fun.. a fireworks night!

Can't wait to see all of your posts on your Easter!

Love seeing how everyone celebrates it.

DIY Easter Ideas - Kid Activities, Basket & Eggs Inspiration Board

I wanted to put together some ideas

for Easter Activities with kids...

DIY details to put in the Easter basket..

and Egg inspiration!

I love the little Peep Pal and the He is Risen Donut Tomb....

How are you connecting the Easter Bunny to the

reason for celebrating Easter?? (Jesus' Resurrection!!)

I told the girls the story..that after Jesus died for us on the cross..

he was put in a tomb with a biggggg rock blocking the door.

But Jesus moved it and angels came and he went to heaven and opened it up for us!!

So one day we could be with Him there too!

And the little Easter Bunny saw allllll of this amazing ness happen and

ever since has been bringing treats on Easter to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead!

The girls love the story. Would love to track down a book that is similar.

let me know if you have the name of one!

Enjoy these great links. (all listed below)

1. Intense Egg Dyeing Tips by Design Mom

2. Glittered Eggs by Martha Stewart

3. Bunny Finger Puppets by purl bee.

4. Little Peep Pal by Michael Ann Made

5. Kool-Aid Egg Dyeing Guide found on Pinterest (original source unknown. do you know it??)

6. Neon Dip-Dyed Easter Eggs by Oh Joy

7. Easter Egg Finger Puppets by wild olive

8. Chevron Easter Eggs by BonBon Rose Girls

9. Washi Tape Easter Eggs by lovely indeed

10. Creative Play Easter Basket by modern parents messy kids

11. Jesus is Risen Paper Craft by Totally Tots

12. He is Risen Tomb Snack Activity ound on Pinterest (original source unknown. do you know it??)

13. "Hands on" Easter Chick Activity by that artist woman

14. Cookies in Egg Carton (great gifting idea/inspiration!) by cheryls.com

15. Paper Plate Easter Bunny by free preschool crafts

DIY Easter Ideas - Sweet & Yummy Treats Inspiration Board

As promised...some sweet and yummy treat ideas for a DIY Easter this year!

I included some of my printables in this inspiration board...

all of which will be e-mailed out same day as ordered!

so you have time to make up a sweet treat bag for gifting.. or cupcake toppers for a cute display!

My favorite......the tuxedo peeps. so cute! and yummy. ;)

Enjoy this Easter Inspiration Board!

Check out all the links below to get all the

details on these recipes & sweet ideas!

1. Tuxedo Peeps by Babble

2. Easter Bird Nest Cookies by With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart

3. Peep Treat Bag Tags by The Pretty Paperie Printables (my etsy shop)

4. Hot Cross Buns with Dark Chocolate & Dried Cherries by Cookin Canuck

5. Coconut Macaroon Nutella Cookie Nests by Two Peas & Their Pod

6. Easter Egg Lunch Hunt by Gluesticks

7. Easter Rice Krispie Treats by kidscooking.about.com

8. Chick Deviled Eggs found on Pinterest (but originally from the recent issue of Taste of Home)

9. Easter Cupcake Topper Printables by The Pretty Paperie Printables (my etsy shop)

10. Resurrection Rolls by Surreality

DIY Easter Ideas - Pretty Table & Decor Inspiration Board

Easter is just around the corner..

Here's some DIY Ideas for your Easter Table and Decor!

Follow the Links below to check out all the details on each fun project!..

More fun Easter Inspiration Boards coming tomorrow and thursday!

(Sweets and DIY's to fill the easter baskets!)

1. Wheatgrass place settings by my insanity

2. Tablescape by nestofposies

3. Carrot Centerpiece by wants & wishes

4. White Tablescape (pinned from citrus and orange )

5. Tissue Paper Tassel Inspiration by confetti system

6. Fabric Garland by sugar lander

7.Candy Centerpiece by Martha Stewart

8. Doily Place Setting via intimateweddings.com

9. White Tablescape found via pin on Good Life of Design

10. 'Hoppy Easter!' Thumb Print Cards or Place Settings by sarahndipities

11. Tissue Paper Tassel Garland Tutorial by Visual Vocabulary

12. Vintage Easter Brunch on Hostess with the Mostess, by Julia of In Good Company

13. Floral Centerpiece by chatelaine

14. Doily Wrapped Drink from Hostess with the Mostess, by Julia of In Good Company

15. Cheery Yellow Table Setting by my sweet savannah

16. Tablescape with Moss Runner by between naps on the porch

17. Colorful Floral Arrangement on the wedding chicks 

Tried to link up to the original source for as many as possible.

(I think 1 I couldn't find! so let me know if you know.)

Hope you are having a great week so far..

We are great here! but today was one of those Can I make it to bed time?!?!? type of days....

And lately...Every night it seems like my children are SHOCKED that we do bed time...........

Surpise! bed time.. I know..it's not like we do this every night...

thought I would shake things up for you little ones.......?!?! ;)

Enjoying the silence right now and sweet sleeping babies.

Not enjoying the morning all day sickness from Baby #3..

I don't have time to be sick with these two girls running around! ;)

Hoping I can get through this rough part of the pregnancy soon

and start getting that mommy glow.....ha.